Hebrew-language websites described the malfunctioning limo, brought from Washington specially for the visit, as the first unforseen incident during Obama's three-day visit to the region.

Obama is scheduled to leave the airport to Jerusalem in a helicopter. A parade of Black Hawk helicopters will follow the presidential helicopter carrying his delegation.

According to the Associated Press, the US secret service said the vehicle suffered mechanical problems before Obama arrived but would not say what the problem was.

The secret service said its advance teams plan ahead for these types of glitches. "This is why we bring multiple vehicles and a mechanic on all trips," said spokesman Brian Leary.

It was not the only unscripted moment of the visit so far: our Jerusalem correspondent, Harriet Sherwood, notes that Obama apologised to the Israeli prime minister about the size of the presidential entourage.